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Studien syftar till att undersöka risker som fastighetsföretag exponeras mot vid ett fastighetsförvärv. Arbetet undersöker även om deras riskexponering ökar i samband med olika marknadsfinansieringar. Tidigare studier har behandlat förhållandet mellan risk och avkastning vid fastighetsinvesteringar, strategier vid fastighetsinvesteringar, den geografisk inverkan på fastighetsinvesteringar samt risk och osäkerhet på fastighetsmarknaden. Syftet med arbetet är att kombinera tidigare forskning för att bygga nya dimensioner genom att sammanfoga marknadsfinansieringar och risker på den svenska fastighetsmarknaden, för att vidare analysera dem. Studien är uppbyggd utifrån en kvalitativ metodinsamling. Resultatet av rapporten påvisar hur risken hos bolagen har ökat i första kvartalet 2022, främst på grund av ränteökningen, vilket kommer leda till ökade finansieringskostnader, tajta marginaler, samt svårighet att få tag på finansiering. Eftersom marknadsfinansieringen i Sverige är så pass ung är det oklart hur den kommer påverkas av en lågkonjunktur. Större bolag med goda relationer med bank och finansiärer, samt stabila kassaflöden kommer ha fortsatt god tillgång till finansiering, men mindre bolag kommer ha det svårare att hitta finansiering. / This thesis aims to analyze and investigate risks to which real estate companies are exposed to in a property acquisition. Furthermore, to investigate whether their risk exposure increases in connection with various capital market financing. Previous studies have examined the relationship between risk and return on real estate investments, strategies for real estate investments, geographical impact on real estate investments and risk and uncertainty in real estate markets. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to combine these dimensions in order to investigate and analyze them further. This study uses qualitative data collection. Results show that the risk that companies face have increased in the first quarter of 2022, the increase in interest rates will lead to increased financing costs, smaller margins, and an increased difficulty of finding financing. Since capital market financing is relatively young in Sweden, it is unclear how it will fare during a recession. Larger companies with a good relationship to the banks and other financiers, with good cash flow will have continued good access to financing, but smaller companies will have a harder time finding financing.

Many projects exist whose purpose is to augment raw data with annotations that increase the usefulness of the data. The number of these projects is rapidly growing and in the age of “big data” the amount of data to be annotated is likewise growing within each project. One common use of such data is in supervised machine learning, which requires labeled data to train a predictive model. Annotation is often a very expensive proposition, particularly for structured data. The purpose of this dissertation is to explore methods of reducing the cost of creating such data sets, including annotated text corpora.We focus on active learning to address the annotation problem. Active learning employs models trained using machine learning to identify instances in the data that are most informative and least costly. We introduce novel techniques for adapting vanilla active learning to situations wherein data instances are of varying benefit and cost, annotators request work “on-demand,” and there are multiple, fallible annotators of differing levels of accuracy and cost. In order to account for data instances of varying cost, we build a model of cost from real annotation data based on a user study. We also introduce a novel cost-conscious active learning algorithm which we call return-on-investment, that selects instances for annotation that contain the most benefit per unit cost. To address the issue of annotators that request instances “on-demand,” we develop a parallel, “no-wait” framework that performs computation while the annotator is annotating. As a result, annotators need not wait for the computer to determine the best instance for them to annotate—a common problem with existing approaches. Finally, we introduce a Bayesian model designed to simultaneously infer ground truth annotations from noisy annotations, infer each individual annotators accuracy, and predict its own accuracy on unseen data, without the use of a held-out set. We extend ROI-based active learning and our annotation framework to handle multiple annotators using this model. As a whole, our work shows that the techniques introduced in this dissertation reduce the cost of annotation in scenarios that are more true-to-life than previous research.

This study analyzes if there is a connection between ESG - which stands for Environmental, Social and Governance, and stock returns over time. The study also analyzes how integrating ESG can impact a company's competitiveness long term. This is done by researching the following two research questions:  How can a multiple regression model be formulated to determine if there is a connection between ESG and stock returns? How are companies integrating ESG and sustainability practices and what are the benefits of doing so? The first question was answered by performing a regression analysis on ESG factors reported on Nordic stocks and determining if the dependent variable ROI could be explained by these. The second question was answered by conducting a literature review and interviews with relevant actors. The results from the multiple regression analysis showed a low adjusted R2 of 0.23 which implied that there is no clear relationship between ESG factors and ROI. The literature review shows that there are positive outcomes associated with a company being sustainable that are not directly related to the financial yield. The interviews examined how different companies are integrating ESG and sustainability work into their business practice to achieve long term competitiveness while also complying with regulations coming from the EU. In conclusion, there is no clear relationship between ESG and stock return, and the focus with ESG lies within ensuring that a company integrates sustainability to keep a competitive spot in the market and reduce risk, while also reducing their environmental and social impact. / Denna studie undersöker om det finns en koppling mellan ESG - vilket står för Environmental, Social and Governance, och avkastning över tid. Studien analyserar även hur integreringen av ESG kan påverka ett företags konkurrenskraft på lång sikt. Detta görs genom att undersöka följande två frågor:  Hur kan en multipel regressionsmodell formuleras för att avgöra om det finns en koppling mellan ESG faktorer och aktiers avkastning? Hur integrerar företag ESG och hållbarhetsprinciper och vilka fördelar för detta med sig? Den första frågan besvarades genom att genomföra en regressionsanalys på ESG faktorer som hade rapporterats för Nordiska börsnoterade bolag och avgöra om den beroende variabeln total avkastning (ROI) kunde förklaras av dessa faktorer. Den andra frågan besvarades genom att genomföra en litteraturstudie och genomföra intervjuer med relevanta aktörer. Regressionsanalysen hade en låg tillförlitlighet och visade på att det inte fanns några tydliga kopplingar mellan ESG-faktorer och avkastningen. Resultatet från litteraturstudien visar att det finns positiva effekter av ESG som inte är kopplade till finansiella mått. Intervjuerna visar på att företag integrerar ESG i sitt arbete för att behålla sin konkurrenskraft på marknaden. Sammanfattningsvis så finns det ingen tydlig koppling mellan ESG-faktorer och aktiers avkastning, och fokus med ESG bör snarare vara att se till att företag arbetar hållbart för att behålla sin del av marknaden, minska risk och samtidigt minska sin påverkan på klimatet.

M. Tech. (Department of Information and Communication Technology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / The alignment of Information Systems (IS) with business processes in organisations is a dynamic state whereby an organisation uses Information Technology in order to achieve business objectives. The alignment of IT exists when goals, activities and processes of a business are in harmony with the Information Systems which are supporting them. The lack of IT strategic alignment in organisations lead to poor IT Return on Investment (ROI), inefficient operations due to poor performance that impact the organization’s competitive advantage. Studies on Information Systems Alignment have merely focused on the alignment between Business and Information System Strategy. Very few studies have studied this alignment in Small and Medium Enterprises to investigate what impact the alignment has with the business performance. The purpose of this study is to measure the alignment between Information system and the business strategy in Small and Medium Enterprises and to investigate the impact of this alignment on the business performance. A model was used to measure the alignment between Business and Information System Strategy and its impact on the business performance. Data was collected through the use of a questionnaire. A sample of ninety-nine (99) individuals from a variety of SMEs was used. SPSS was used to analyse the data. The results showed the variables of the model were all positively correlated to one another. Therefore, alignment of Information Systems (IS) and Business Strategy was confirmed. The influence of the alignment was found to have a positive influence (0.459) on the overall performance of the business. In conclusion, it is imperative for SMEs to align Information Systems (IS) and Business Strategy in order to increase the overall performance of their businesses.

This study analyzes if there is a connection between ESG - which stands for Environmental, Social and Governance, and stock returns over time. The study also analyzes how integrating ESG can impact a company’s competitiveness long term. This is done by researching the following two research questions:1. How can a multiple regression model be formulated to determine if there is a connection between ESG and stock returns?2. How are companies integrating ESG and sustainability practices and what are the benefits of doing so?The first question was answered by performing a regression analysis on ESG factors reported on Nordic stocks and determining if the dependent variable ROI could be explained by these. The second question was answered by conducting a literature review and interviews with relevant actors. The results from the multiple regression analysis showed a low adjusted R2 of 0.23 which implied that there is no clear relationship between ESG factors and ROI. The literature review shows that there are positive outcomes associated with a company being sustainable that are not directly related to the financial yield. The interviews examined how different companies are integrating ESG and sustainability work into their business practice to achieve long- term competitiveness while also complying with regulations coming from the EU. In conclusion, there is no clear relationship between ESG and stock return, and the focus with ESG lies within ensuring that a company integrates sustainability to keep a competitive spot in the market and reduce risk, while also reducing their environmental and social impact. / Denna studie undersöker om det finns en koppling mellan ESG - vilket står för Environmental, Social och Governance, och avkastning över tid. Studien analyserar även hur integreringen av ESG kan påverka ett företags konkurrenskraft på lång sikt. Detta görs genom att undersöka följande två frågor:1. Hur kan en multipel regressionsmodell formuleras för att avgöra om det finns en koppling mellan ESG faktorer och aktiers avkastning?2. Hur integrerar företag ESG och hållbarhetsprinciper och vilka fördelar för detta med sig?Den första frågan besvarades genom att genomföra en regressionsanalys på ESG faktorer som hade rapporterats för Nordiska börsnoterade bolag och avgöra om den beroende variabeln total avkastning (ROI) kunde förklaras av dessa faktorer. Den andra frågan besvarades genom att genomföra en litteraturstudie och genomföra intervjuer med relevanta aktörer. Regressionsanalysen hade en låg tillförlitlighet och visade på att det inte fanns några tydliga kopplingar mellan ESG-faktorer och avkastningen. Resultatet från litteraturstudien visar att det finns positiva effekter av ESG som inte är kopplade till finansiella mått. Intervjuerna visar på att företag integrerar ESG i sitt arbete för att behålla sin konkurrenskraft på marknaden. Sammanfattningsvis så finns det ingen tydlig koppling mellan ESG-faktorer och aktiers avkastning, och fokus med ESG bör snarare vara att se till att företag arbetar hållbart för att behålla sin del av marknaden, minska risk och samtidigt minska sin påverkan på klimatet.

This thesis examines the integration of customer satisfaction into the DuPont model to understand its impact on long-term corporate profitability. A company was selected to conduct the study. By applying the company’s data to the DuPont model, it was observed how changes in customer satisfaction affected profitability. The purpose and research question were answered through the literature review, case study, interviews, and data from the company. The analysis showed that increased turnover during the years 2022 and 2023 led to improved profit margins and asset turnover rate, resulting in higher return on total capital. Critical factors such as long delivery times and inefficiencies in customer service have affected the company’s customer satisfaction, which the company is striving to address. The study has concluded that regular measurement of customer satisfaction and the use of feedback from customers contribute to adjusting strategies and processes. The literature review supports the link between customer satisfaction and long-term profitability. The company’s situation shows a connection between customer satisfaction and profitability at present. The company should conduct sporadic surveys regarding customer satisfaction to predict the outcomes of the DuPont model.  Improvement suggestions presented in the study are based on data from the company and interviews. Based on these factors, the company could recommend actions such as improving delivery times and optimizing the supply chain and enhancing internal and external communication in order to strengthen customer satisfaction and profitability. / Detta examensarbete undersöker integrationen av kundnöjdhet i DuPont-modellen för att förstå dess påverkan på företags lönsamhet på lång sikt. Ett företag blev utvalt för att genomföra undersökningen. Genom att tillämpa företagets data i DuPont-modellen kunde det observeras hur förändringar i kundnöjdheten påverkade lönsamheten. Genom litteraturstudien, fallstudie, intervjuer och data från företaget kunde syftet och frågeställningen besvaras. Analysen visade att ökad omsättning under år 2022 och år 2023 ledde till förbättrad vinstmarginal och kapitalomsättningshastighet, vilket resulterade i högre räntabilitet på totalt kapital (Rtot). Kritiska faktorer såsom långa leveranstider och ineffektivitet i kundtjänsten har påverkat företagets kundnöjdhet, vilket företaget strävar efter att åtgärda.  Studien har kommit fram till att regelbunden mätning av kundnöjdhet och användning av feedback från kunder bidrar till att justera strategier och processer. Litteraturstudien stödjer kopplingen mellan kundnöjdhet och långsiktig lönsamhet. Företagets situation visar en koppling mellan kundnöjdhet och lönsamhet i nuläget. Företaget behöver göra mer tydliga och sporadiska undersökningar för att förutse hur DuPont-modellens resultat kommer se ut.  Förbättringsförslag som presenteras i studien grundar sig på data från företag och intervjuer. Utifrån dessa faktorer kunde företaget rekommenderas åtgärder som att förbättra leveranstider, optimera försörjningskedjan samt förbättra intern och extern kommunikation för att stärka kundnöjdheten och lönsamheten.

For more than three decades, the World Economic Forum’s annual Global Competitiveness Reports have studied and benchmarked the many factors underpinning national competitiveness. The quality of higher education and training is considered particularly crucial to ensure national competitiveness. The globalizing economy requires countries to nurture pools of well-educated workers who are able to perform complex tasks and adapt rapidly to their changing environment and the evolving needs of the economy. Vocational and continuous on-the-job training and the constant upgrading of workers’ skills is critical to sustain the economical status of the country. Despite the acknowledgement that education, training and development (ETD) is a key driver for a country's economical sustainability and growth, the contributions that companies make to this effect are a concern. This is ascribed to the difficulties experienced in companies regarding the management of ETD. In this study it is postulated that communication problems are at the heart of the challenges which are experienced in managing ETD. Strategic conversation is proposed as one of the methods to address the communication and performance shortcomings experienced by business and ETD managers. It is argued that if the level of conversations is raised to make them strategic, the potential to optimise results and make an impact at organisational and national level is increased. Hence, the purpose of this study was to propose a Strategic ETD Conversation (SETDC) model to optimise Return on Occupational Training Expectations (ROTE) that would contribute towards the achievement of organisational and national strategic goals. In lieu of the limited empirical research available on the strategic conversation phenomenon in general, the purpose of this study was inter alia to conduct empirical research to explore the essence of strategic ETD conversations in order to propose a model of practical value to ETD managers. Hence, the empirical research was situated in both an explorative paradigm and a pragmatic paradigm with the aim to provide practical solutions and an instrument to successfully engage in strategic ETD conversations which would enhance the quality of ETD and thus contribute to global competitiveness. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

High performance organizations desire to provide services in an effective and efficient manner with positive outcomes; therefore measures of performance and cost can be utilized to gauge such success. Through comparative research and analysis of local governments that have and do not have collective bargaining for law enforcement, findings and results can determine if there is any correlation between employee workforce classification (in collective or non-collective bargaining workplaces), high performance traits, costs and high performance return on costs (HPRC) for law enforcement. A HPRC composite measure was developed and utilized to compare and contrast all of the local governments to determine relationships between performance and costs. Based upon the research, the following findings were discovered for the null hypothesis which compared two forms of collective bargaining - arbitration and mediation - separately to non-collective bargaining localities: 1) Correlation between workforce classification and high performance attributes – mediation (negative – perform at a lower performance level); 2) Correlation between workforce classification and law enforcement costs - arbitration (negative – costs are at a lower level); and 3) No correlation between workforce classification and HPRC. In the preceding three areas, only the model on high performance attributes had a high r square and low variance with adjusted r square; both indicators of a parsimonious model. While correlations arose, further research in this area is warranted in developing a more enhanced and publicly accepted comparable metric of performance, costs and HPRC for law enforcement. In addition, certain control variables illustrated a correlation with the dependent variables as follows: 1) Performance - High median household incomes, density, age, survey quality of life, and city; 2) Law Enforcement Costs per Capita - Non-right-to-work state and county; and 3) HPRC - Median household income and county. A rational choice theory was utilized as the lens of framework in assessing an employee’s motivational behavior in a collective and non-collective bargaining work environment that could contribute to differentials in performance.

Le taux élevé de rotation et recrutement, la complexité du travail et le manque de formation professionelles a augmenté la demande de la formation d'intégration professionnelle pour Représentatives des Services Clients (RSC). La question est: ‘comment est-ce-que les professionnels des centres d'appels déterminent la valeur de la formation d'intégration professionnelle des RSC. Les centres d'appels peuvent être divisés en deux groupes «In-House» et «Subcontractor» à propos la propriété. L'objectif de cette étude est d'étudier la différence dans l'évaluation de la formation d'intégration professionnelle des RSC entre ces deux groupes. «Le modèle de Kirkpatrick» de l'évaluation de formation a été utilisé avec le 5ème niveau de rentabilité de l'investissement. Ensuite, nous avons identifier les groupes de parties prenantes les plus importantes qui peuvent bénéficier d'information de l'évaluation concernant à chaque niveau de «TKM». Les données qualitatives ont été recueillies par 15 entretiens avec des groupes des professionnels de 13 centres d'appels aux Pakistan. Les données quantitatives ont été recueillies des 203 professionnels des 90 centres d'appels du Lahore, Karachi et Islamabad. Sauf pour «Réaction», il n'y avait aucune différence dans les pratiques d'évaluation des centres d'appels ‘In-House' et ‘Subcontractors.' En outre, «taille» de centre d'appels et la «durée» de la formation d'intégration professionnelle a eu un effet significatif sur la différence dans les pratiques d'évaluation. En plus, les données d'évaluation est important pour tous les groupes d'intervenants internes. / Higher turnover, increased recruitment, job complexity and lack of vocational training for call center agents has increased the demand of entry level professional training of call center agents. The question is that how call center professionals determine the value of entry level professional training of call center agents. Call centers can be divided in two groups ‘In-House' and ‘Subcontractor' with respect to the ownership. The objective of this study is to investigate the difference in evaluation of entry level professional training of call center agents among these two groups of call centers. ‘The Kirkpatrick Model' of training evaluation was used to study these differences with addition of 5th level return on investment. Further, we identified stakeholder groups inside call centers. Then we attempted to identify the most important stakeholder groups who may benefit from evaluation information obtained at each level of ‘TKM' model. Data was collected from call centers inside Pakistan by using a mixed methods approach for data collection. Qualitative data was collected through 15 group interviews which were conducted with professionals of 13 call centers inside Pakistan. Quantitative data was collected from almost 203 call center professionals of 90 call centers from three cities Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. We found that except for first level ‘Reaction' there was no difference in evaluation practices of in-house and subcontractor call centers. Moreover, ‘size' of call center and ‘duration' of entry level professional training had a significant effect on the difference in evaluation practices.